Apple tree named &#39;renoir&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica Mill.  apple tree variety named ‘Renoir’ particularly characterized by moderately vigorous tree with good habit and good productivity. Resistant to scab. The tree produces well on two-year-old branches, is self-thinning and naturally keeps to one or two apples per cluster. The shape of fruit is conical-obloid, slightly flattened. Yellowish-green ground colour with russeting over 50-60% of the surface; fruit growing in direct sunlight may take on a light red hue on the exposed part. The flavour is excellent with a very intense aroma similar to Reinette blanche du Canada, but sweeter. The fruit is good to eat fresh, even directly after harvest. The flesh is yellow, firm and juicy. May be stored until April.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Malus domestica Mill.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Renoir’

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to European Community Plant Variety Office Application No. 2011/1877, filed Jul. 26, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apple tree, botanically known as Malus domestica Mill. of the Family Rosaceae, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘Renoir’.

The new Malus variety is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventors, Michelangelo Leis, Alessio Martinelli, Gianfranco Castagnoli and Francesco Tagliani in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new Malus varieties with improved production characteristics, high-quality flavour and aroma, and sustainability by increasing the tree's natural resistance. The primary objective of the Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti's research programme is to select new apple varieties with natural resistances, in particular to scab.

The new Malus variety, ‘Renoir’, originated from a cross made in a planned, controlled breeding program in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The female parent is an unpatented C.I.V selection denominated ‘FG-88’. The male parent is an unpatented C.I.V selection denominated ‘B9-5’. ‘Renoir’ was discovered and selected in August 2004 by the inventors as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy.

Asexual reproduction of the new Malus variety by budding and grafting was first performed in September 2004 and in the following years in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new Malus variety are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new variety reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Renoir’ which in combination distinguish this apple tree as a new and distinct variety:

1. Yellowish-green colour with russeting over 50-60% of the surface;

2. Scab resistance;

3. Medium vigor, open habit with short branches;

4. Self-thinning and naturally keeps to one or two apples per cluster;

5. The fruit is good to eat fresh, even directly after harvest;

6. High sugar content and

7. Long storage ability.

In comparison to the similar variety ‘Reinette blanche du Canada’, ‘Renoir’ differs primarily in the traits listed in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Characteristic in State of State of Denomination of which the similar expression of expression of similar variety variety is different similar variety candidate variety “Reinette blanche General Shape Obloid Conic du Canada” Eating maturity Late Medium Resistance to No Scab resistant disease

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventors, the most similar in comparison to ‘Renoir’ is variety ‘Reinette blanche du Canada’ as compared in Table 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new apple tree ‘Renoir’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘Renoir’. In the photographs the label shows the breeder's reference ‘B3B9-207’.

FIG. 1: illustrates the plant of ‘Renoir’;

FIG. 2: illustrates the leaves of ‘Renoir’;

FIG. 3: illustrates the flowers of ‘Renoir’ and

FIG. 4: illustrates the fruits of ‘Renoir’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Malus variety ‘Renoir’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Malus variety ‘Renoir’ as grown in the apple farm in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The apple farm where ‘Renoir’ is grown is situated near the Adriatic sea (44° 45′ North, 12° 11′ East) and is zero (0) meters above sea level. The soil of the apple farm where ‘Renoir’ is grown is sandy, and the soil is treated with manure every year and irrigated with drip irrigation systems. The climate is temperate continental with high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includes observations, measurements and values based on four (4) year old ‘Renoir’ trees that were grown in the apple farm in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, from 2007 to 2010 All trees were of cropping maturity. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual trees of ‘Renoir’. The measurements of any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately at 10:00 am in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy.

All trees of ‘Renoir’, insofar as they have been observed, have been identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Malus domestica Mill. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Malus domestica Mill. ‘FG-88’ (unpatented             C.I.V. selection).         -   Male parent.—Malus domestica Mill. ‘B9-5’ (unpatented C.I.V.             selection). -   Propagation: Budding and grafting on M9 rootstock. -   Tree:     -   -   Age.—Observed plants were four years old.         -   Vigor.—medium vigor.         -   Tree type.—ramified.         -   Habit.—spreading, branches angle is typically 45 to 75             degrees from the vertical stem.         -   Density.—medium density.         -   Cropping behavior.—Precocious fruit bearing with good             productivity.         -   Type of bearing.—typically long shoot; brindle with fruiting             apical bud.         -   Production.—4^(th) year: 16 Kg.         -   Size.—Height: 2.8 m Spread: 1.30 m Trunk Diameter: about 45             mm as measured 20 cm above point of grafting.         -   Surface texture.—smooth.         -   Bark color.—Brown, RHS 199 D. -   Trunk lenticels:     -   -   Overall shape.—round to elongated. Length: about 1.0 mm             Width: about 1.0 mm Color: Yellow-brown RHS 164 C. Density:             2 to 3 per cm².         -   Branches.—Number per tree: about 25 at four (4) years.             Length: Varies due to pyramidal shape of tree. At four (4)             years, maximum of 90 cm to 110 cm; minimum of 30 cm to             50 cm. Diameter (at 3 years): About 14 mm. Surface texture:             smooth. Color (at 3 years): grey, RHS 201 A. Internode             length: About 2.0 cm to 5.0 cm Internode diameter: About 12             mm in the middle of branches.         -   Branches lenticels.—Length: 1.0 mm. Width: 0.5 mm. Color:             Yellow-brown, RHS 164 B. Density: About 6 per cm². -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, petiolated.         -   Lamina.—Size: Length (4 year old): 93 mm (from 3^(rd) to             5^(th) fully expanded leaf). Width (4 year old): 50 mm (from             3^(rd) to 5^(th) fully expanded leaf).         -   Length/width ratio.—1.86 Overall Shape: elliptical. Base             shape: obtuse. Apex shape: right angle. Margin: biserrate.             Pubescence: absent on upper surface and weak pubescent on             lower surface. Attitude in relation to shoot: upwards. Color             (mature leaves): green, RHS 137 A on the upper side and 147             B underside. Color (immature leaves): green, RHS 143 A on             the upper side and 138 B underside.         -   Venation.—Type: prominent pinnate venation from a midrib to             the edge. Color: green, RHS 147 D.         -   Petiole.—Length: about 31 mm. Diameter: about 1.85 mm in the             middle. Texture: hairy. Color: yellow-green, RHS 139 C with             anthocyanin coloration.         -   Stipule.—Arrangement: adnate, grown together; small size.         -   Distance of stipules from basal attachment of petiole.—very             short. Length: about 10 mm. Width: about 2 mm. -   Spur: Present: present only occasionally on 2-3 year old shoots.     Distance between each spur:     -   -   Number of fruit per spur.—             . -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming time.—Full bloom on April 9^(th) at C.I.V. in S.             Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara) in year 2011.         -   Blooming period.—8 to 12 days.         -   Fragrance.—slight.         -   Type.—inflorescence.         -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—5 to 6.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: about 34 mm. Flower color: Primarily             white, RHS 155 D, when petals fully opened, undersides of             petals there are shades red-purple color, RHS 70 B, making             pink blooming stage pink, RHS 58 B.         -   Fruiting buds.—the fruiting bud are located on reproductive             brindle. Shape: rounded. Length: about 7.0 mm. Width: about             5.0 mm. Color: brown, RHS 200 C with hairy surface.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: intermediate. Number per flower:             typically five (5). Length: average 15.93 mm. Width: average             10.32 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.54. Overall shape: elliptic.             Apex shape: obtuse. Base shape: rounded. Texture: smooth.             Margin: entire. Color (upper surface): white, RHS 155 D.             Color (lower surface): white, RHS 155 D with shade             red-purple RHS 70 B.         -   Sepals.—Number per flower: five (5). Length: average             7.81 mm. Width: average 3.31 mm. Length/width ratio: 2.4.             Overall shape: lanceolate. Apex shape: acute. Texture:             hairy. Margin: entire. Color: green, RHS 138 B.         -   Pedicel.—Length: average 17.1 mm. Diameter: 2 to 3 mm.             Texture: hairy. Color: green, RHS 139 C. -   Fruit:     -   -   Keeping quality.—The fruit is good to eat fresh, even             directly after harvest. It has a good shelf life.         -   Maturity when described.—ripe for eating.         -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 130 days in S.             Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara) Italy.         -   Date of first and last pickings.—About 17 August and 25             August in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara) Italy (North             44° 45′46.2″, East 012° 11′31.9″) in year 2011.         -   General shape.—conic-obloid.         -   Average weight.—240.37 g.         -   Fruit size.—Average height: 72.51 mm. Average diameter (at             widest point): 84.3 mm.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—between ¾ of the height near             stem end.         -   Height/diameter ratio.—0.86.         -   Stem.—Length: about 29 mm. Diameter: 2 to 2.7 mm. Color:             yellow-green group, RHS 153 B.         -   Stalk cavity.—Depth: average 18.44 mm. Width: average 41.98             mm. -   Eye basin:     -   -   Aperture of eye.—fully open Depth: average 7.44 mm. Width:             average 27.28 mm. Crowning at calyx end: moderate. Position             of sepals: bent. Calyx tube: funnel form.         -   Skin.—Thickness: medium. Texture: rough to the touch, with             russeting over 50-60% of the surface. Bloom: absent.             Greasiness: absent. Firmness (at picking time): 7.5 to 8.5             kg/cm². Overcolor color: if present, it is red RHS 44 B.             Percentage of skin surface with overcolor color: the             overcolor is absent or very small; it is present only on the             fruit growing in direct sunlight, it may take on a light red             hue on the exposed part. Pattern of overcolor: if present             only solid flush. Intensity of overcolor: light. Ground             color: yellow-green, RHS 153 C.         -   Skin lenticels.—the lenticels are not more evident because             are russet as the skin. shape: round. Length: about 1.0 mm.             Width: about 1.0 mm. Color: greyed-yellow, RHS 161 A.             Density: about 3 per cm² in the central area of the surface             of fruit.         -   Flesh.—Color: yellow, RHS 11C. Texture: firm, and juicy.             Aroma: intense. Eating quality: excellent with a very             intense aroma similar to Renette, but sweeter. Sugar content             (at picking time): about 15.5° Brix. Acidity/Starch (at             picking time): Acidity: about 8.0 g/lt Malic acid/starch:             2.5 to 3 (Laimburg scale 1 to 5).         -   Core.—Symmetry of core: asymmetric. Distinctness of core             lines: no more evident.         -   Locules.—Number (per fruit): 5 (five). Length: 12 mm. Width:             5.0 mm. Form: closed or slightly open. -   Seeds:     -   -   Number per fruit.—6 to 15.         -   Number per locule.—about 1 to 3.         -   Shape.—elliptic.         -   Length.—average 7.0 mm.         -   Width.—average 4.5 mm.         -   Color.—brown, RHS 177 A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamens: Number per flower: about 20 (Twenty).             Length: average 6.85 mm. Filament: Length: about 5.9 mm.             Color: green-white, RHS 155 D.         -   Anther.—Shape: ovoid, flat in the center. Length: 1.81 mm.             Diameter: 1.03 mm. Color: yellow, RHS 12 C. Pollen: Amount:             abundant. Color: yellow, RHS 12 B. Requirements: the crab             apple “Malus Evereste” is good pollinator.         -   Gynoecium.—Stigma: Shape: funnel shape with receptive             surface on top. Length: 0.9 mm. Width: 0.6 mm. Color: green,             RHS 144 B. Style: Number per flower: 5 (Five). Length: about             10.35 mm. Width: about 0.3 mm. Color: yellow-green, RHS             145 B. Ovary: Length: about 3.0 mm. Width: about 2.0 mm.             Color: yellow-green, RHS 141C.         -   Use.—fresh market.         -   Sensitivity to disease/pests.—scab resistance.         -   Winter hardiness.—tolerance to temperatures of −12° C.             without observed damage to wood and buds of dormant apple             trees; but open flowers and young fruitlets are killed by             exposure to −3° C. to −5° C., depending on the length of             exposure.         -   Drought/heat tolerance.—good tolerance to heat, up to 40°             C., growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation.         -   Shipping/storage characteristics.—very good storability             under ULO-conditions (1° C., 2% O₂, 2% CO₂) for up to             six (6) months. 

1. A new and distinct Malus domestica Mill. apple tree variety named ‘Renoir’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 